DHAKA: The Supreme Court asked the government to file leave-to-appeal petition against the High Court order that granted bail to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in Cumilla arson attack case.

The Appellate division bench led by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain passed the order following a petition filed by the state on Thursday (December 6).

Deputy Attorney General Dr Md Bashir Ullah said the apex court also asked the state to file the petition by December 13.

Attorney General Mahbubey Alam stood for the state accompanied by Dr Md Bashir Ullah.

Senior defense lawyer A J Mohammad Ali and barrister Kaisar Kamal stood for Khaleda Zia.

On November 28, the High Court (HC) granted bail to Khaleda Zia in an arson case in Cumilla.

A covered van was torched on Dhaka-Chattogram highway in Chauddagram upazila on January 25, 2015.

The next day, Nuruzzaman Howlader, sub inspector of Chauddagram police station, filed the case making 32 persons, including Khaleda Zia, accused.

Khaleda Zia has been serving in jail since February 8 this year after a Dhaka court convicted and sentenced her to five years’ imprisonment in Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case.

BDST: 1510 HRS, DEC 6, 2018

AH/RS